JP2000343486A - Cleavage line forming method at airbag lid part - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accurately form a cleavage line at a low cost by fitting a cutting tool to an arm of a robot to which the shape of the cleavage line is previously taught, and moving the cutting tool by the robot to form the cleavage line of specified shape at an air bag lid part. SOLUTION: A cleavage line 5 is directly formed on an instrument panel 1 to partition a lid part of an air bag device. The cleavage line 5 is formed by fitting a cutting tool 8 to a robot arm 7 of an industrial robot 6 or the like and cutting the instrument panel 1 with the cutting tool 8. The industrial robot 6 is an articulated robot such as a six-axis robot, and the shape of the cleavage line 5 formed at the lid part is previously taught to the robot 6. The cutting tool 8 is a circular cutter with a perforation forming edge, that is, a perforation cutter 11. The cleavage line 5 can thereby be formed accurately at low cost.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for forming a cleavage line in an airbag lid.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Some vehicles such as automobiles have an airbag device as an emergency safety means. In the airbag device, when an impact force of a predetermined value or more is applied to a vehicle body, a bag body folded and stored in a housing disposed inside an instrument panel or the like,
It swells toward the occupant side of the cabin due to the pressure of the pressurized gas from the inflator, and receives the head of the occupant sitting in a fixed position to protect the head from touching the instrument panel etc. is there.

[0003] When the bag body is inflated, the bag body presses an air bag grid portion formed in the instrument panel, and cleaves a cleavage line formed in the air bag grid portion to form a bulging opening. The swelling portion is swelled toward the passenger in the vehicle cabin.

The above cleavage line is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-282
As disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 420, there is known one formed by a laser processing machine.

[0005]

However, when a cleavage line is formed by a laser processing machine in this way, the equipment cost of the laser processing machine is increased, and the laser cutting head of the laser processing machine is replaced or the laser cutting head is changed. There is a problem in that running costs are required to exchange carbon dioxide used as an assist gas in the processing machine.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and to provide a method for forming a cleavage line in an airbag lid portion capable of forming a cleavage line at low cost.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a cutting tool is attached to a robot arm in which a tear line shape formed in an air bag grid portion is previously taught, The cutting tool is moved by the robot to form a cleavage line of a predetermined shape in the airbag lid portion.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the use of the robot and the cutting tool makes it possible to form a cleavage line in the airbag lid at low cost.

[0009] The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the cutting tool is any one of a circular cutter, a rotary luter blade, a knife type cutter, and an ultrasonic cutter.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, any one of a circular cutter, a rotary luter blade, a knife type cutter, and an ultrasonic cutter is used as the cutting tool with high accuracy. It is possible to form a cleavage line.

[0011] In the invention described in claim 3, the circular cutter is a perforated cutter having a perforated blade.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the cleavage line can be formed in a perforated shape, the tear line can be easily broken when the airbag is operated.
This makes it possible to prevent sticking of the cleavage line portion when the airbag is not operated (elastic deformation when pressed from the airbag lid portion surface side).

[0013] The invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that the circular cutter has a bite preventing member attached to the cutter blade.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the remaining thickness of the cleavage line can be controlled to a predetermined size by the bite prevention member without increasing the accuracy of the robot.

[0015] The invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that the cutting tool is a combination of a perforated cutter having a perforation forming blade and a circular cutter having a continuous perimeter blade.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, by combining the perforated cutter and the circular cutter, the perforated cutter forms a perforated cleavage line, and the circular cutter is used. The slit portion of the perforation cutter is cut. And if there is no circular cutter, the foam layer is torn off at the slit part of the perforation cutter, foam debris is generated, and the foam debris adheres to the air bag grid part by static electricity,
There is a risk that coating defects may occur during painting work in the subsequent process, etc., and foam scraps may be scattered when the airbag device is deployed.However, cut the slit part of the perforated cutter with a circular cutter. By doing
The foam layer is not torn off, and the generation of foam debris is prevented, so that it is possible to prevent poor painting and scattering of foam debris during deployment.

In the invention described in claim 6, the predetermined shape of the cleavage line is characterized in that a corner thereof is formed by combining a plurality of linear cleavage lines.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of linear cleavage lines are combined to form a corner portion of the cleavage line, thereby making it difficult to machine an arc shape, for example, a cutting tool. The use of a circular cutter becomes possible.

[0019] In the invention described in claim 7, the linear cleavage line is divided into a plurality of portions at a joint portion.

According to the invention according to claim 7 configured as described above, the linear cleavage line is prevented from being too long.
By splitting the straight cleavage line into several parts and providing appropriate joints, the strength of the cleavage line part of the airbag grid part is improved, so that the airbag grid part becomes sticky when a load acts on the airbag lid part from above. Can be prevented.

[0021] The invention according to claim 8 is characterized in that the cleavage line is formed obliquely inclining toward the center of the lid.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, by making the cut line oblique,
The general part of the airbag grid part enters under the edge of the lid, and the general part supports the lid from below, so the load on the airbag grid part when a load acts on the airbag grid part from above. Sticking can be prevented.

[0023]

First Embodiment A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1 to 6 show a first embodiment of the present invention.

A vehicle such as an automobile is provided with an instrument panel 1 as shown in FIG. This instrument panel 1 is, for example, as shown in FIG.
It has a three-layer structure including a skin 2, a foam layer 3, and a core material 4. The instrument panel 1 is manufactured, for example, by setting a skin 2 and a core material 4 formed in advance in a foaming mold, and injecting a foaming agent into the foaming mold to cause foaming. TPU, PVC, TPO (TE
A material such as O) is used. A material such as urethane, PPF, or PP bead foam is used for the foam layer 3.
Core material 4 includes PPC, PPG, PC / ABS, PC, A
Materials such as SG, ABS, PPE, aluminum, and steel plate are used.

In the case of a vehicle in which the airbag device is set for the passenger seat, a tear line 5 is formed on the back surface of the instrument panel 1 on the passenger seat side to serve as a bulging opening of the bag body. You. In FIG. 1, a lid portion (air bag grid portion) of the airbag device is defined by directly forming a cleavage line 5 on the instrument panel 1 so that a bulging opening is formed when the lid portion is opened. In the example shown, the instrument panel 1
A separate lid portion may be attached to the lid, and a cleavage line 5 may be formed in the lid portion. In addition, in FIG.
Has a substantially U-shape in plan view, but is not limited to a U-shape.
It may be a predetermined shape such as a character shape.

As shown in FIG. 2, the cleavage line 5 is formed by attaching a cutting tool 8 to an arm 7 of a robot such as an industrial robot 6 and cutting the instrument panel 1 with the cutting tool 8. To do.

The industrial robot 6 is, for example, an articulated robot such as a six-axis robot, and the shape of the cleavage line 5 formed in the lid portion is preliminarily taught.

The cutting tool 8 is, for example, a circular cutter having a perforation forming blade as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, that is, a perforated cutter 11 or the like. This perforated cutter 11 has a cutter blade 12 and a slit 13
And a disk-shaped cutter portion (perforation forming blade) 14 having a plurality of the cutter blades 1 and 2.
A pair of disc-shaped cut-out preventing members 15 covering only the exposed portions 2, a shaft 16 penetrating the center of the cutter portion 14 and the cut-off preventing member 15, and fitted to both ends of the shaft 16. And a washer 18 for retaining the cutter support arm 17 attached to both ends of the shaft 16. The perforated cutter 11 has a cutter support arm 17 supported by the arm 7 of the industrial robot 6.

When the cleavage line 5 is formed, the instrument panel 1 is first turned over as shown in FIG. Then, a cutting tool 8 such as a perforated cutter 11 is held by an arm 7 of an industrial robot 6 such as a six-axis robot, and the core 4, the foam layer 3, and the skin 2 of the instrument panel 1 are held by the cutting tool 8. Then, cutting is performed while leaving a part of the skin 2 to form a cleavage line 5. The corner portion 19 of the cleavage line 5 may be formed in an arc shape, but when it is difficult to form the arc portion by the diameter of the cutter portion 14 of the perforation cutter 11, as shown in FIG. A plurality of linear cleavage lines may be formed in combination. As described above, by forming the corner portion 19 of the cleavage line 5 by combining a plurality of linear cleavage lines, it becomes possible to use a cutting tool 8, for example, a circular cutter, in which it is difficult to machine an arc shape.

At this time, the cutting tool 8 is connected to the perforated cutter 1
1, the skin 2 has a perforated cleavage line 5
Is formed. When the tear line 5 is formed in a perforated shape, the tear line 5 is easily broken when the airbag is operated, and the sticking of the tear line 5 portion when the airbag is not operated (when the airbag grid portion is pressed from the surface side). (Elastic deformation) can be achieved.

As described above, the use of the general-purpose industrial robot 6 and the manual cutting tool 8 makes it possible to form the cleavage line 5 accurately at low cost.

It is to be noted that required accuracy is required for forming the cleavage line 5, but this accuracy is ensured by increasing the number of teaching points for the industrial robot 6.

Alternatively, by attaching the bite prevention member 15 to a circular cutter such as the perforated cutter 11, the remaining thickness of the cleavage line 5 can be controlled to a predetermined size without increasing the accuracy of the industrial robot 6. Can be.

[0035]

[Modification] FIG. 7 shows a modification of the first embodiment.
The perforated cutter 11 attached to the industrial robot 6 with respect to the single skin 2 constituting the instrument panel 1
The cleavage line 5 is formed by a cutting tool 8 such as a cutting tool. Even in this case, it is possible to form the cleavage line 5 at low cost.

The skin 2 on which the cleavage line 5 has been formed is then made into the instrument panel 1 by injection molding the core material 4 on the back side.

[0037]

Second Embodiment FIGS. 8 and 9 show a second embodiment of the present invention. Note that the same or equivalent parts as those in the first embodiment are described with the same reference numerals.

In the second embodiment, the industrial robot 6
The cutting tool 8 to be mounted on the rotary cutter 21 is a rotary cutter blade 21 having a spiral cutter shape, a diamond cutter shape, or the like.

When the cleavage line 5 is formed, the instrument panel 1 is first turned over as shown in FIG. Then, a cutting tool 8 such as a rotary luter blade 21 is held by an arm 7 of an industrial robot 6 such as a six-axis robot, and the core material 4, the foam layer 3 and the skin 2 of the instrument panel 1 are held by the cutting tool 8. Then, cutting and thinning are performed while leaving a part of the skin 2 to form a cleavage line 5.

At this time, the cutting tool 8 is rotated
By setting to 1, the corner 19 of the cleavage line 5 can be formed in an arc shape with a small radius.

As described above, the use of the industrial robot 6 and the cutting tool 8 makes it possible to form the cleavage line 5 at low cost.

Although the required accuracy is required for forming the cleavage line 5, this accuracy is ensured by increasing the number of teaching points for the industrial robot 6.

Except for the above, the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the same operation and effect can be obtained.

[0044]

[Modification] FIG. 10 shows a first modification of the second embodiment, in which the outer skin 2 forming the instrument panel 1 is cut with a rotary luter blade 21 attached to the industrial robot 6 or the like. The cleavage line 5 is formed by a tool 8. Even in this case, it is possible to form the cleavage line 5 at low cost.

The skin 2 on which the cleavage line 5 is formed is then made into the instrument panel 1 by injection molding the core material 4 on the back side.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show a second modification of the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11, the tearing line of the instrument panel 1 is rotated by the rotary luer blade 21 attached to the industrial robot 6. A groove 25 is formed by cutting a part of the core material 4 and a part of the foamed layer 3 which is to become the groove 5. If necessary, the cutting tool 8 of the industrial robot 6 is replaced with a knife-type cutter 26 and the groove 25 is formed. 25 remaining foam layer 3 and skin 2
Is formed into a slit 27 by making a part of it thinner to form a cleavage line 5.

In this way, in the case of a vehicle with no or few settings of the airbag device for the front passenger seat, only the groove 25 is formed by the rotary luter blade 21 and the front passenger seat airbag device is formed. When it becomes necessary to set the airbag device, the slit 27 is formed using the knife-type cutter 26, so that the cleavage line 5 can be easily formed.

FIG. 13 shows a third modification of the second embodiment. In the state shown in FIG. 11, the cutting tool 8 of the industrial robot 6 is replaced with a normal blade (ie, a continuous cutting blade which is not a perforation forming blade). ), The remaining part of the foam layer 3 of the groove 25 and a part of the skin 2 are thinned to form a slit 27, which is used as the cleavage line 5.

In this way, in the case of a vehicle with no or few settings of the airbag device for the passenger seat, only the groove 25 is formed by the rotating luter blade 21 and the passenger seat airbag device is formed. When it becomes necessary to set the air bag device of
Is formed, the cleavage line 5 can be easily formed.

[0050]

Third Embodiment FIGS. 14 to 17 show a third embodiment of the present invention. The same or equivalent parts as those in the first and second embodiments will be described with the same reference numerals.

In the third embodiment, the cutting tool 8
As a perforation cutter 11 having a perforation forming blade
And a circular cutter 28 having a continuous blade all around. Here, the full-circle continuous blade of the circular cutter 28 has a smaller diameter than the cutter portion 14 of the perforated cutter 11 and a larger diameter than the slit portion 13 so that the full-circle continuous blade slightly protrudes from the slit portion 13. I do. In addition, a double-edged cutter is used for the perforated cutter 11, and a single-edged cutter is used for the circular cutter 28, and the blade of the circular cutter 28 is arranged so as to abut the side surface of the perforated cutter 11.

In the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, a slit 31 is formed in advance at a portion of the core material 4 where the cleavage line 5 will be formed, and a sealing tape 32 is applied to the slit 31 to form a foam layer 3. The molding agent is prevented from leaking during molding.

Further, as shown in FIG. 17, the linear cleavage line is divided into a plurality of parts and the connecting portion 33 is provided as appropriate so that the linear cleavage line does not become too long.

As described above, by combining the perforated cutter 11 and the circular cutter 28, the perforated cutter 11 forms the perforated cleavage line 5 with respect to the skin 2, the foam layer 3, and the seal tape 32. At the same time, the circular cutter 28 cuts the slit 31 of the perforated cutter 11. If the circular cutter 28 is not provided, the foam layer 3 is torn off at the slit 31 of the perforated cutter 11, and foam debris is generated. The foam debris adheres to the instrument panel 1 by static electricity.
There is a possibility that defective painting may occur at the time of painting work in a post-process, or scattering of foam debris may occur at the time of deployment of the airbag apparatus. However, the slit 31 of the perforated cutter 11 is cut by the circular cutter 28. By doing so, the foam layer 3 will not be torn off, and the occurrence of foam debris will be prevented, thereby preventing poor painting and scattering of foam debris during deployment.

Further, as shown in FIG. 14, by forming a slit 31 in advance at a portion of the core material 4 which will be the cleavage line 5, it is possible to easily form the cleavage line 5 with the cutting tool 8. Become.

Further, as shown in FIG. 17, the linear cleavage line is divided into a plurality of parts and the connecting portion 33 is appropriately provided so that the linear cleavage line does not become too long. Since the strength is improved, sticking of the instrument panel 1 when a load acts on the instrument panel 1 from above can be prevented.

Other than the above, in the first and second embodiments,
2 and a similar operation and effect can be obtained.

[0058]

[Modification] FIG. 18 shows a modification of the third embodiment, in which a cutting tool 8 formed by combining a perforated cutter 11 and a circular cutter 28 is obliquely applied to the instrument panel 1 at an angle 34. Thereby, the inclined cleavage line 5 is formed. Note that the tear line 5 is inclined toward the center of the lid as it goes downward with respect to the instrument panel 1 arranged with the skin 2 facing upward (in the case of FIG. 18, the tear line 5 The right side is the lid, and the left side of the cleavage line 5 is the general part of the instrument panel 1).

As described above, by making the cut line 5 beveled, the general part of the instrument panel 1 enters below the edge of the lid, and the general part supports the lid from below. Therefore, sticking of the instrument panel 1 when a load acts on the instrument panel 1 from above can be prevented.

[0060]

Fourth Embodiment FIGS. 19 to 22 show a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The same or equivalent parts as those in the first to third embodiments will be described with the same reference numerals.

In the fourth embodiment, the cutting tool 8
An ultrasonic cutting machine 35 capable of cutting at a speed of 60 m / min while performing up and down movement 20,000 times per second is used.
The ultrasonic cutter 35 includes a 20 kHz waveform section 36 for performing small 20 kHz vibration repetition, a half-wave booster section 37 for performing amplitude amplification, a half-wave index horn section 38, a blade holder 39, and a blade 40. Have.

Then, as shown in FIG. 21, an ultrasonic cutting machine 35 forms a cleavage line 5 on the instrument panel 1 having a three-layer structure including the skin 2, the foam layer 3, and the core material 4. . Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 22, the cleavage line 5 is formed on the single-layered epidermis 2 by an ultrasonic cutter 35,
Then, the instrument panel 1 is formed by forming the foam layer 3 and the core material 4 on the back surface side of the skin 2. In the drawing, reference numeral 41 denotes a receiving stand capable of vacuum suction.

As described above, by using the ultrasonic cutter 35, it is possible to perform processing without emitting toxic gas or cutting powder. In addition, processing can be performed without producing burrs.

The ultrasonic cutting machine 35 is not a dedicated tool but can be used for general-purpose processing. Therefore, even if the shape of the cleavage line 5 changes, it can be handled only by performing teaching according to the receiving table 41. Thus, the cost can be reduced.

Since the groove processing is easy, it is easy to perform the remaining processing on the dealer optional component mounting portion of the vehicle.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and even if there is a change in design or the like without departing from the gist of the present invention. Included in this invention. For example, combinations other than those described in the above embodiments are also possible.

[0067]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the use of the robot and the cutting tool makes it possible to form the cleavage line in the air bag grid at low cost.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to form a cleavage line with high accuracy by using any one of a circular cutter, a rotary luter blade, a knife type cutter, and an ultrasonic cutter as a cutting tool. It is.

According to the third aspect of the invention, since the cleavage line can be formed in a perforated shape, the tear line can be easily torn when the airbag is activated, and the stickiness of the cleavage line portion when the airbag is not activated ( (Elastic deformation when pressed from the surface side of the airbag grid portion).

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the remaining thickness of the cleavage line can be controlled to a predetermined size by the bite prevention member without increasing the accuracy of the robot.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, by combining the perforated cutter with the circular cutter, the perforated cutter forms a perforated cleavage line, and the circular cutter forms the slit portion of the perforated cutter. It will be cut. And if there is no circular cutter,
The foam layer is torn off at the slit of the perforation cutter, and foam debris is generated.The foam debris adheres to the air bag grid part due to static electricity, causing a coating defect at the time of painting work in a later process or an air bag device. There is a risk that foam debris may be scattered during the development of the foam, but by cutting the slit part of the perforated cutter with a circular cutter, the foam layer will not be torn off, and the foam debris will be removed. Occurrence of the foam is prevented, so that defective foam and scattering of foam debris during deployment can be prevented.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, by forming a corner portion of a cleavage line by combining a plurality of linear cleavage lines, it is possible to use a cutting tool, for example, a circular cutter, in which it is difficult to machine an arc shape. Become.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the strength of the cleavage line portion of the air bag grid portion is improved by dividing the linear cleavage line into a plurality of portions and appropriately providing a connecting portion so that the linear cleavage line does not become too long. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the airbag lid from sticking when a load acts on the airbag lid from above.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, by making the cut line of the cleavage line oblique, the general portion of the airbag lid portion enters below the edge of the lid, and the general portion supports the lid from below. Therefore, a practically useful effect that it is possible to prevent sticking of the air bag grid portion when a load acts on the air bag grid portion from above can be exerted.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of an instrument panel according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which a cleavage line is formed.

FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the perforation cutter.

FIG. 5 is a front view of a perforation cutter.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a cleavage line.

FIG. 7 is a partial side sectional view of a modification of the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a state in which a cleavage line according to a second embodiment of the present invention is formed.

FIG. 9 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a partial side sectional view of a first modification of the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a partial side sectional view of a second modification of the second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a view showing a subsequent process of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a partial side sectional view of a third modification of the second embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a front view showing a state where a cleavage line is formed according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16A is a side view of a perforated cutter portion,
(B) is a side view of a circular cutter part.

FIG. 17 is a plan view of a cleavage line.

FIG. 18 is a front view showing a state where a cleavage line according to a modification of the third embodiment is formed.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing a state in which a cleavage line according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is formed.

FIG. 20 is an enlarged side view of the ultrasonic cutter of FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a partial side sectional view showing a state in which a cleavage line is formed in the instrument panel.

FIG. 22 is a partial side sectional view showing a state in which a cleavage line is formed in a single-layered epidermis.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Air bag grid part (instrument panel) 5 Cleavage line 6 Industrial robot (robot) 7 Arm 8 Cutting tool 11 Perforation cutter 15 Biting prevention member 21 Rotating luter blade 26 Knife type cutter 28 Circular cutter 33 Joint 35 Ultrasonic wave Cutting machine

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A cutting tool is attached to an arm of a robot in which a tear line shape to be formed in an airbag lid portion is previously taught, and the cutting tool is moved by the robot to form a cleavage line of a predetermined shape in the airbag lid portion. A method for forming a cleavage line in an airbag lid portion. 2. The air bag grid unit according to claim 1, wherein the cutting tool is any one of a circular cutter, a rotary luter blade, a knife type cutter, and an ultrasonic cutter. Cleavage line forming method. 3. The circular cutter according to claim 2, wherein the circular cutter is a perforated cutter having a perforated blade.
The method for forming a cleavage line of an air bag grid part according to the above description. 4. A method for forming a cleavage line in an airbag lid according to claim 2, wherein said circular cutter has a bite preventing member attached to said cutter blade. 5. The air bag grid according to claim 1, wherein the cutting tool is a combination of a perforated cutter having a perforated forming blade and a circular cutter having a continuous continuous blade. Line forming method. 6. The cleavage of the air bag grid part according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined shape of the cleavage line has a corner portion formed by combining a plurality of linear cleavage lines. Line forming method. 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the linear cleavage line is divided into a plurality of portions at a joint portion. 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the cleavage line is inclined toward the center of the lid.